The Oath of Enlistment

When you join any branch of the U.S. military, you take an oath of enlistment. Sometimes this oath is conducted in a private ceremony with only a handful of individuals, but other times it is performed in front of sold-out stadiums. I’ve gathered a few photos highlighting our Delayed Enlistment Program enlistees who are taking their first steps toward enlisting in the Air Force.

The first time someone has the opportunity they will resemble their civilian side. The second time they say the oath will be at basic training graduation, which signifies their transformation from civilian to Airman.

Ruben Gawan, son of Chief Master Sgts. Lori and Phillip Gawan, takes the oath of enlistment Nov. 2, 2013, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. After 19 years of traveling around the globe with his parents as a military dependent, Ruben decided to enlist in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chase Hedrick/Released)

The oath of enlistment can be performed anywhere, and sometimes there are opportunities to perform it in front of huge audiences.

Many people have seen it conducted before baseball, football and even NASCAR events.

Members of the 331st Recruiting Squadron Delayed Enlistment Program take the Oath of Enlistment at the Montgomery Biscuits annual Military Appreciation Night baseball game June 13, 2015. Maj. Gen. Maury Forsyth, Spaatz Center commander, administered the oath. (U.S. Air Force photo by Donna Burnett/Released)

One great aspect of taking the oath after your first enlistment is someone can make it memorable.

These Airmen reenlisted during their deployments. Not only are they honoring our country, they are making an added commitment to protect it while deployed.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. LaMarcus Molden, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq personnel manager, recites the oath of enlistment along with 125 other service members during a re-enlistment ceremony at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Oct. 5, 2011. Molden was deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and is originally from Albany, Ga. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo/Released)

Sometimes you have those people who like to add a little flair to their oath. This Air Force PJ performed the ceremony and then jumped from a C-130! Go big or go home.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kristopher Tomes, a pararescueman with the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, re-enlists aboard a HC-130 minutes before jumping near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 19, 2013. Tomes is deployed from the 308th Rescue Squadron and has performed more than 150 jumps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Staci Miller/Released)

If you’ve ever taken the oath of enlistment, feel free to share your story with us!

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The official blog of the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Live, is maintained by the Air Force Public Affairs Agency. The site is intended to connect Air Force Airmen with online readers. The site is a reflection of the men and women serving in the Air Force. For more information, visit www.af.mil, and see our About page. For information on joining the Air Force, visit www.airforce.com.